Surprisingly Unreconstructed

Recently, while in Hawaii we had someone prepare
for us a delicious Hawaiian dinner. That meal included
a large fish -- and these are the teeth from that fish! 
No way to reconstruct the fish -- the meal was
awesome, and the hospitality incredible. Not
sure what it has to do with the devotional 
thought, but the teeth were amazing. 

Scripture:

Luke 22:24   A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. ²⁵ But he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. ²⁶ But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. ²⁷ For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

Observation:

As Jesus and the disciples sit down for the passover meal, the disciples begin to argue. I wonder what Jesus was thinking as those whom he had tried to mentor for three years had simply not really understood his mission. Here he was, in the very final days of his life, and they were focused on themselves. He uses this moment to again teach them about servant leadership. He was not just teaching them with his words, but modeling the action with his life. When he heard their comments, he immediately took the opportunity to teach them. Matthew Henry put it this way, “Like a vigorous physician, he uses an earnest and deep-reaching commandment to cut away the passion that sprang up among them.”

Application:

Throughout the journey of discipleship we are to be changed and transformed. This includes embracing the spirit of humility found in Christ. Surprisingly, the behavior of the disciples in this moment shows us that “their commitments remain surprisingly unreconstructed” (Green, NICNT). After having spent three years with Jesus, they were still struggling with attitudes that were informed by the culture. Jesus dealt with it immediately and didn’t give time or space to this infectious attitude. 

There are moments and situations in life where we may look surprisingly unreconstructed. Maybe it’s at work, or when engaging with those around us, there’s a time when we don’t react the way that a disciple should. Have you ever said something in an emotional moment that you later regret? Do you ever get competitive in a situation, in which there really ought not to be any competition? Have you hurt someone’s feelings because you just had to be right? 

For all the time that the disciples had spent with Jesus, it is a shock when they respond in this way. Later, after Pentecost, we see a dramatic change in the heart of the disciples. When they are filled with the Spirit, we see them reflecting the character of Jesus. They truly abide in the kingdom of God from that moment on, with everything about their lives being focused on the reconstructed life. And this is where we are invited to abide — in the daily presence of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit. And if, or when, we find our responses as surprisingly unreconstructed, may we immediately call upon the Lord to check our attitudes and fill us again! 

Prayer:

Lord, I need you, every day, and every hour. Amen.